Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-05-26
THE nRrEHUs sERYfoE.


A Philadelphia exchange says; The
United States revenue steamer Hamilton
has just completed her cruise and re-
turned TO her station at this port, The
Hamilton is the guardian of the Delaware
river and bay, and patrols the ocean from
point above Cape May TO the North
Carolina coast. She is the protector Of
this port. Captain Eric Gabrielson gives
very interesting account of the expert
ence Of the vessel during her four months
ON the coast, including the rigorous win
ter season. In searching for vessels in
distress, in the protection of the revenue
and the enforcement of the United States
laws, the Hamilton eruised nearly 1900
miles along the coast and covered an ad-
ditional distance of $40 miles assisting
the life-saving service. One thousand
four hundred and sixteen vessels were
boarded and seventy six were reported
for violation of the laws. Assistance was
rendered to nine vessels in distress, which
were valued at over $142, 900, and which
carried crews Rggregating 81 persons. At
the outset of the cruise, while lying at
Delaware Breakwater during o heavy
N. N. W. gale, the Hamilton answered
signals of distress from the schooner
Susie Derrickson and the pilot boat
Henry Cope, both OF which were drug
ging rapidly toward n lee shore. They
were towed with much difficulty to u safe
anchorage under the breakwater.
While of Body's Island, un tic coast of
North Carolina, on January 27 Al, the
American schooner Delhi waa discovered
at anchor close to tho brelkers aud lying
signals OF distress. Her sails were blown
away, one anchor gone, boat stove, FORE
stay carried away and rudder useless. As
the vessel was manageable and had not
sufficient anchors and cbaius 90 hold long
in the heavy and increasing sea she would
have gone ashore and become total
wreck. Men were sent on board from the
Hamilton TO assist the orn-out crew and
the vessel was towed into Norfolk, Va.
While at Norfolk, "a month later, a lumber
laden schooner, the Chief of Orisield,
Md, was found to be on fire. An alarm
was given, the crew reused, and with the
assistance Of q dozen men from the cutter
the fire was extinguished. Down at Hamp-
ton Roads mutiny on board the schooner
Annie III. Allen was quelled.
March 11th the schooner Glare e. Col
cord Of Rockland, Me bound for Phila-
delphia with sugar, was found dismasted
anu Win ueI btoerlnB BehI ohIllou uWhJi
and she was towed to Norfolk. Similar
service was rendered to the barque AYilla,
near Cape Henry, March 18th. The
schooner Samuel II. Walker Of Taunton,
Mass, coal laden for Bridgeport, Conn,
was found ashore on Hog Island Shoals
on March 23d, and, after attempting TO
drag her off, she was placed in the hands
of wrecking company. Two days later
the Hamilton fell in with the schooner
Henry Wilmington of Dennis, Mass, in a
helpless condition. She had on board
the crew of the Lenah O. Kaminski, with
which she had been in collision during
the previous night. The Wilmington was
towed into Delaware bay and delivered 10
tug for Philadelphia.
This is but brief chapter from the
experiences of single Gutter, but from it
can be formed an idea of what is done by
the service during severe winter in the
saving of property and the rescue of lives.
This is the nature of the work that is be-
ing constantly done by this branch Of the
revenue service.